Horse subjected to teeth carving

Updated 11:41 pm, Saturday, July 14, 2012

The words "suck it" were carved into the front teeth of "Cowboy" the horse in 2009, allegedly by a San Angelo man, before the animal was obtained by current owner Jay Sorrell (right).

The words "suck it" were carved into the front teeth of "Cowboy" the horse in 2009, allegedly by a San Angelo man, before the animal was obtained by current owner Jay Sorrell (right).

Photo: Zeke MacCormack, San Antonio Express-News

Horse subjected to teeth carving

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

BANDERA — Citing the statute of limitations and conflicting views among veterinarians, investigators say they are unlikely to pursue animal cruelty charges over the carving of “suck it” into a horse's front teeth.

“At this point, the case is pretty well closed unless I get additional information,” Sgt. Shane Merritt of the Bandera County Sheriff Office said Thursday.

He said his investigation indicates Nick Coates of San Angelo, who was hired by the Running R Guest Ranch in late 2009 to perform a routine procedure called floating, or filing, the teeth of horses there. Coates was accused of engraving letters into the incisors of two trail-ride horses, Cowboy and Diablo, using a Dremel-like rotary tool.

“I was irate,” recalled ranch manager Diane Migliaccio, who said she confronted Coates but didn't call police because her vet advised that the damage was merely cosmetic.

Merritt said Coates also reportedly carved “RR” in the teeth of Diablo, who since has been sold.

Most Popular

Veterinarian Samantha Mixon of Boerne said when she saw Cowboy's teeth during a visit to the ranch in April, “I was completely shocked.”

By the time she filed a complaint of cruelty to livestock animals on June 26, the 18-year old horse had been retired and traded to Lisa and Jay Sorrell of Bandera County.

“What kind of sick mind would do that?” Jay Sorrell said of the engravings.

Although Mixon has recounted reports that Cowboy has shuddering episodes, possibly caused by pain from the carving, the Sorrells and Migliaccio say the very calm gelding hasn't exhibited any signs of discomfort.

Merritt said two local vets familiar with the situation didn't concur with Mixon's view that the carving clearly constituted animal cruelty.

“All the vets agree it was stupid and unnecessary, but they differ on whether it caused pain and suffering,” he said.

The exact date of the carvings hasn't been determined, said Merritt, noting the statute of limitations on the cruelty charge is two years. “If this occurred in 2009, we can't pursue it,” he said.

Cleet Griffin, a Texas A&M University assistant professor of equine field service, said the carvings might eventually result in the loss of Cowboy's teeth, as well as gum problems.

“That just crosses the line on how livestock should be treated,” he said Thursday.

Jay Sorrell, who's investigating restorative work to head off potential problems for Cowboy, said he also has some procedures in mind for Coates, who did not respond to requests for comment.

“I'd like to get him alone for 15 minutes,” said Sorrell, 70. “I've got a Dremel, too.”

Mixon, not satisfied with Merritt's investigation, said, “I'm determined that this case is not going to disappear.”